Rudd - Scardinius erythrophthalmus

This fish is often confused with the roach (Rutilus rutilus), as the two species are similar in appearance. A gorgeous deep golden colour on the flanks blends with a dark green tinge to the back. True rudd have blood-red fins and a golden eye. The mouth on small fish is very upturned, although in large fish the upturned mouth is slightly less evident, although the lower lip will always extend beyond the upper. Often confused with roach, with which the rudd often hybridises. Check the shape of the mouth, eye colour and in true rudd the root of the pelvic fins will be well in front of the dorsal fin.

Rudd spawn on clean plants, often reeds, during May. Often their spawning coincides with that of roach, and occasionally with bream, which they will also hybridise with. The eggs can be found in large mats attached to the reed stems and also to the mats of algae that can often be found in reeds. Here they gain the full warmth of the sun and hatch in around seven days.

Rudd live in small shoals, and typically occur near the surface of the water.

The Rudd holds the oldest coarse fish record on the books. Currently held by a fish of 4lb 8oz taken in 1933 by Rev. E. C. Alston from a Norfolk Mere.